What Torch

[knock10090]

I'm in the market for an aftermarket torch for my Everlast 185. It came with a 17 torch. I most likely will be using the entire range of the welder but if I have to narrow it down, 1/8 aluminum tubing will be the primary metal.

I want to go with a flex head. Should I stay with a 17 and utilize a stubby gas lense kit or go with a 9 series?

Is there a noticeable difference between a 9 and a 17 with stubby gas lense kit?

Thanks

[Rambozo]

For 1/8" Alum you are right on the border. So it comes down more to duty cycle. For light use you could get by with a 9 but for more heavy use I would go with a 17. You do lose a little capacity with the stubby kit, too. So keep that in mind. A 9 will be a little smaller than a 17 with the stubby kit, but not by much. Everlast is also a CK Worldwide dealer, so they can sell you a plug and play setup with their superflex hose and the torch of your choice. The superflex makes all the difference. Also before opting for a flex head, have a look at the flex-loc system. While a little bulkier, it allows even more movement, and you can swap just the head portion so you can switch between 9 and 17 heads depending on what you are working on.

[knock10090]

I see the CK9 has a 100% duty cycle at 125 amps. How much does it drop off say at 150 amps? What would duty cycle be at 185 amps? Running my powertig 185 let's say up to its limit of 35% at 185 amps, how would the ck9 stand up?

For what I do and how I weld, especially just learning tig, I find myself running real short beads and seem to be really slow and deliberate.

I'm totally sold on the superflex hose. I just want a little more maneuverability out of a smaller torch.

[Rambozo]

CK is pretty conservative with ratings, but if you run a 9 at 185 amps it will not be for long. The big problem is that if you find yourself maxed out, you will also find that the weld will take longer than if you had more amperage, and you risk cooking the torch. Even at 125 amps over extended periods, I find a 9 will get too hot to handle with thin TIG gloves, depending on where you hold the torch. The 35% duty cycle of the machine will help to keep that under control, and making short welds will also help. A lot of fabrication falls into two stages, one where you are cutting, fitting and tacking and a super light torch and low duty cycle machine is perfect, then welding up all the joints where you might need more power and longer duty cycle. As long as you observe the duty cycle and take breaks, you will be ok, but if you stress the machine you will at the least shorten it's life, at the worst, break it. Your projects will dictate what will work best for you. I myself run a 250 amp rated torch on a machine that is capable of over 350 amps, just to have the small size. However, I know I almost never use those power levels, and if I do, it is just briefly at the start of some aluminum welds. Someday I might fry that torch, but I have had it more than 20 years and on 3 machines, so far. You can always bust out the 17 that came with the machine for jobs that might be a little tough on the 9.

[knock10090]

That's a good point about breaking the 17 out.

[rick9345]

I'm in the market for an aftermarket torch for my Everlast 185. It came with a 17 torch. I most likely will be using the entire range of the welder but if I have to narrow it down, 1/8 aluminum tubing will be the primary metal.

I want to go with a flex head. Should I stay with a 17 and utilize a stubby gas lense kit or go with a 9 series?

Is there a noticeable difference between a 9 and a 17 with stubby gas lense kit?

Thanks

I use a ck flex head super flex hose gas cooled with a series 2 head(9) and have spare series 3 head(easy interchange) on my 250EX. Have back up 20 water cooled for serious long duration welding. All with stubby gas lens.The series 2&3 interchange on the 9&20 flex head so have coverage up 250+ amps The air 9 is the go to.
I/8&1/4 material fab work is main use

[knock10090]

That's good advice. I'm going to order a CK9 flex with the superflex.

Where do you guys recommend buying. I know USAWeld quoted me a 9 flex with a superflex hose and the dinse connector for $99. It isn't branded CK but looks to be the same just branded USAWeld.

[MBfrontier]

I purchased a non-flex CK9 setup with superflex hose for my Everlast 200DX. I like it. I'm using 3/32 2% lanthanated tungsten and when welding at 120 amps requires plenty of coffee breaks to cool the torch down if you're doing a medium to large welding project. If I end up with more large projects I'm going to order the same setuo with a 17 torch.

[knock10090]

Maybe Im wrong in saying this, but... I bought my Tig machine as a precise welding tool capable of doing aluminum and completing my fabrication projects in a slow methodical way. I have a nice miller 211 mig that I can blast away with as fast as i can go and not stop. So... I thinking the coffee breaks and a 9 torch will fit right in.

MB... is there a reason you opted for the NON flex? Are you wishing your would have gotten the flex?

[zoama]

The CK9/130 is rated 100% duty cycle at 130 amps AC/DC and per Sjon Delmore (VP of sales at CK) means nonstop welding without harm to the torch. It may not remain comfortable though. I have the 130 flex but I wish I had the flex-loc instead.